John Y. Brown, III: Elegant Endings

Elegant endings.

Perhaps the rarest thing in politics for a longtime successful politician is not dying on stage.

How rarefied –and dignified– to see a supremely accomplished pol end an electoral career on a high note leaving the political stage on their own terms rather than being carried off –or forced off– the stage they starred on for so many years.

Lt Governor of Kentucky, Jerry Abramson, adds that elusive accomplishment to his near perfect political resume.

His announcement today that he won’t run for governor doesn’t signify the end of his life of public service, but seems to signify the beginning of the end of his political and electoral career.

Jerry Abramson is so accomplished and so familiar he is known by a single name: “Jerry.” The political equivalent of Madonna, or Bono, or Prince. Jerry was and is a political rock star.

I first noticed Jerry Abramson when we was running for mayor. If memory serves it was a commercial where he was sitting or standing near a child’s swing. I didn’t really know who he was or what he was about. I just knew he seemed like a leader I would trust and want to vote for. So I did. And did again. Many times.

He became the face and personality of my city. Jerry was Louisville. And in many ways, Louisville was Jerry. Jerry channeled all of the good things about Louisville for the rest of the world to see–and most importantly for Louisville itself to see. A city that has been dogged for too long by under-confidence. But Louisville has come into it’s own thanks in large part to its cheerleader-in-chief and preternatural popular kid who couldn’t be prouder of his Louisville pedigree. And made it OK for the rest of us to be proud of Louisville, too. And even say it out loud once in a while. And mean it.

I’ve never met a person who moved so naturally amidst the political waters than Jerry Abramson. Jerry was born, literally, to run and serve in public office. Darrel Griffith played basketball; Muhammad Ali boxed; Colonel Sanders fried chicken; and Jerry Abramson did politics—all of it–and did it all so very well. From campaigning to statesmanship; from glad-handing to governing; from talking to cameras to teaching young eager students; from managing to merging; from inspiring to leading; from returning to retiring. Jerry loved what he did and it always showed. It was that love of the political process that made Jerry so extraordinary at what he did.

Please allow me a moment of hyperbole to make a point. But only a little. Jerry’s announcement todayreminded me of Michael Jordan’s last second shot against the Utah Jazz that won the 6th championship–and was his last career shot — for the Chicago Bulls.

It was a beautiful –and very fitting shot—for Michael. And for Jerry. An elegant ending. But not really an ending as much as a transition.

Because even after Jerry hangs up his Lt Governor’s jersey he will still be–and always will be– Louisville’s very own “Mayor for Life.”

Thank you. From a citizen you served.